FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Andy Dalton didn't need the NFL to tell him he's in the best stretch of play he's ever been in as a pro but a little validation never hurts.
The Bengals' third-year quarterback was named AFC Player of the Month for October the morning his team is looking to close out the month with a fifth straight win. Dalton has led the Bengals to wins against New England, Buffalo, Detroit and the New York Jets the last four weeks by compiling a passer rating of 116.8, including completing 68 percent of his attempts for 1,246 yards, 11 touchdowns and just three interceptions.
The Bengals are 6-2 and have jumped out to a lead of 2½ games play with this current win streak. They play at Miami tonight against a Dolphins team that has lost four in a row since opening the season with three straight wins.
"I've got a lot of great teammates to work with and I'll take this award on behalf of all of them," Dalton said. "Everybody deserves a piece of it, including the coaches who are putting everything together for us."
Dalton threw a career-high five touchdown passes against the Jets last Sunday in a 49-9 rout at Paul Brown Stadium. He's thrown for 300-plus yards in three straight games. No Bengals quarterback has ever had four straight 300-yard games.
Flamboyance is not Dalton's style. He's one to downplay things, pass the credit around just as he's passing around the ball. Nine different players have caught passes from Dalton, including six with 24 or more receptions and at least 240 yards receiving. A.J. Green leads the team with 46 catches and 734 yards but it's been more than a one-receiver show for the Bengals, just as they envisioned it could be during the preseason.
The Bengals are ranked ninth in the NFL in offensive yards, averaging 369.6 yards per game, and have gone over the 400-yard mark in three straight games.
Tonight they add to that depth with the return of Andrew Hawkins, who has been activated from the injured reserve list. Hawkins suffered an ankle injury in the preseason and had been designated as the team's player to return.
"I think they know it all depends on the looks we're getting. We don't have too many selfish guys – we don't have selfish guys at all," said Dalton. "I think that's why this offense has been able to do what it has been because we've got guys that their sole goal is to win the game. I think it's big. I think everybody was really happy. I don't think anybody was jealous about what Marvin did yesterday, everybody was just happy for him. That's what's so special about this team: We've got guys rooting for everybody and want everybody to be successful."
The offense might have to carry an extra load against Miami given all of the injuries the defense has suffered in the last two weeks. Cornerback Leon Hall (Achilles) and safety Taylor Mays (shoulder) are out for the season, while defensive tackle Devon Still (elbow) and linebacker Rey Maualuga (knee/concussion) won't play tonight. Defensive end Wallace Gilberry (groin) and linebacker Michael Boley (hamstring) are questionable to play.
There's no doubt this is Dalton's best stretch of play as a Bengal. He hasn't been willing to say it's the best he's ever had, though.
"It's tough to say. I've been on some really good teams," said Dalton. "I feel like I'm playing pretty well right now and just got to keep it going. I've got to keep putting this team and this offense in a good position to win games. If I can do that, I think we'll have a good chance to win a lot of them."
